President Donald Trump has suffered another legal setback after a federal appeals court refused to restore his name to the exterior of the Kennedy Center while the broader court battle continues.
In its latest decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to quickly overturn a lower court order that required Trump’s name to be removed from the performing arts venue. The judges found that the administration had not provided enough evidence to support its request.
According to the court, claims that removing Trump’s name would hurt fundraising efforts were not backed by facts.
The judges wrote that the defendants “failed to support this assertion with any specific facts or evidence.” They added, “They offer only the conclusory assertions of the Kennedy Center’s Executive Director that were made in a factually unsupported declaration.”
Trump’s legal team also argued that the Kennedy Center’s governing rules could force the institution to return donations unless his name was restored. The appeals court rejected that argument as well, noting it had not been presented during the earlier district court proceedings.
The lawsuit was filed by Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, who serves as an ex-officio trustee of the Kennedy Center.
The three-judge panel included Circuit Judges Patricia Millett and Robert Wilkins, both appointed by former President Barack Obama, along with Circuit Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee. The decision was unanimous, with no judge dissenting.
Last month, workers installed scaffolding and covered the building’s facade with tarps shortly before Trump’s name was removed. Kennedy Center Executive Director Matt Floca later confirmed in a court declaration that the lettering had been taken down, although the tarp has remained in place for weeks.
Beatty welcomed the ruling in a statement on Wednesday.
“Today’s ruling again affirms that this administration’s efforts to rename the Kennedy Center were unlawful,” Beatty said Wednesday. “His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people. Now it is time for the Trump administration to accept this, comply with the law, and take the tarps down.”
U.S. District Judge Casey Cooper has also ordered the Kennedy Center to explain why the scaffolding and tarps continue to cover the building’s exterior signage.
The latest ruling follows an earlier emergency request in which the same appeals court declined to stop the removal of Trump’s name before Cooper’s deadline took effect.
Cooper’s ruling, issued on May 29, required Trump’s name to be removed from both the Kennedy Center building and its official website. The judge also blocked plans to temporarily close the venue for renovations. The administration’s broader appeal of that decision remains pending.
Away from the courtroom, the Kennedy Center continues planning future programming. A source familiar with the matter told CNN that efforts to expand performances are “coming together” and are expected to be discussed during the board’s next meeting, which could take place as early as next week.
The venue has also scheduled additional live music performances at the Millennium Stage throughout July.
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